Irish told to prepare for heatwave
Scorching temperatures in the ‘high twenties’ are on the way, Met Éireann said yesterday.
The hazy sunshine which brought tens of thousands to beaches around the country yesterday could be the onset of a heatwave. But the meteorological service is not promising a period of unbroken sunshine.
Forecasters have not ruled out “scattered showers, some heavy and thundery” despite temperatures soaring to a high of 28 Celsius by Thursday with the sunshine continuing next weekend.
But holidaymakers can be assured that it’s sunshine most of the way for August.
The warm sea temperatures have led to dozens of sightings of marine mammals off the Irish coast in recent weeks.
Dozens of delighted young canoeists were yesterday treated to the magnificent sight of 12 bottlenose dolphins chasing mackerel in Oysterhaven harbour.
The beach-type weather, however, may have impacted on some of the major festivals.
The organisers of the Guinness Mitchelstown Music Festival are having a re-think about future events.
Headlined by Aussie star Dannii Minogue, the weekend event, featuring many free concerts, was not the money-spinner organisers had anticipated.
“The festival just didn’t pay,” coordinator Martin Lane conceded. “It’s back to the drawing board and possibly a reduction in the number of free shows.”
However, the economy of Dungloe in Donegal was boosted by €4m in recent days as the long-established international festival came to a close. British Midlands cabin crew worker Aisling Friel from Glasgow was on cloud nine after being selected as the 2003 Mary from Dungloe in the early hours of yesterday.
But the hero of the night was Donegal’s famous son Daniel O’Donnell who came to the rescue of the 21-year-old Scot after her dress came apart in two places as she prepared to go stage.
Quick-thinking Daniel invited his wardrobe manager Loretta Terry to save Aisling’s blushes with a few well placed stitches.
